Reviews

This Japanese animated film directed by Gisaburo Sugii was released originally in 1974, and although the animation has aged over the years it still manages to be genuinely sinister and rather unsettling for young children. Personally, my overly-active imagination ran riot with fear after watching this when i was little. I recently came across a VHS copy of it in a second hand shop and after watching it again, i realized that it still manages to give me shudders now. The plot is relatively the same as the original story, however at the top of the beanstalk Jack encounters an enchanted castle inhabited the Princess Margaret, who is betrothed to the giant, Prince Tulip the son of the most frightening witch since the wicked witch of the West, the evil sorceress Hecuba ( who has a penchant for eating children!)and who has placed Margaret under a powerful spell. Jack is aided by his pet dog Crosby and a gaggle of enchanted mice who were former courtiers of the castle,to break the spell placed upon the castle and Margaret, whilst still finding time to find the goose that lays the golden eggs, and talking harp and as well as other castle riches! There are a number of songs scattered throughout the film too, including Margarets ballad " Nobody's happier than i". It features some classic Japanese animation and some truly sinister set-pieces, the scene in the wedding chapel in which Hecuba makes guests out of paper gave me chills when i was little as did her original entrance. Its creepy and worth seeking out.

I was lucky enough to see The Neverending Story on the cinema was i was 9 years old in April 1985. I remember to this day being completely over-awed by the sheer beauty of the film. From the gray and dull scenes of reality in comparison to the magic and splendor of the fantasy sequences, the first time we see The Ivory Tower is particularly breathtaking. A young boy, bullied at school and still coming to terms with the death of his mother finds a book called The Neverending Story, and upon reading it finds himself drawn into the story and penultimately becomes part of the story. As he reads the book in the solitude of the school attic, it reveals that the world of Fantasia, the place where dreams and stories exist is disappearing due to an unforeseen force known as The Nothing, a collective term for mankind's trend to lose hope and forget childhood dreams. As a result of this apparition, the keeper of the Ivory Tower, The Childlike Empress is dying. A warrior is summoned to find a cure for the Empress and therefore bring hope to Fantasia. The Neverending Story carries a beautiful message that its important to dream and to let your creative imagination run wild. All three lead actors, at the time of filming were under the age of 12,and are very good in their roles. Noah Hathaway had been previously seen in Battlestar Galactica as Boxey and Barret Oliver would go on to star in D.A.R.Y.L and Coccon. Tami Stronach would make her one and only film appearance in The Neverending Story but would go onto have her own Dance Company based in New York.

Directed by Jonathan Lynn, CLUE is based on the board game of the same name ( called Cluedo here in the U.K ). An assortment of guests arrive for a dinner party, each given a pseudonym, and it soon becomes apparent that they are there on matters a bit more serious than a simple dinner and a brandy. During the evening, secrets are revealed, people are murdered, lights go on and off and the lines come thick and fast " well it's a matter of life after death. Now that he's dead i have a life." The cast are clearly having a complete riot with Tim Curry, Eileen Brennan and the late, great Madeline Kahn coming off with particular sparks. The look of the film is wonderful. Set in 1954, the attention to detail in the set design and costumes are spot-on. The lighting and feel is not too dis-similar to the 1976 murder-spoof Murder by Death, incidentally also starring Eileen Brennan. Despite being a minor hit on it's initial theatrical release Clue has since become something of a cult hit, and for good reason, as its great fun and whilst certain plot-holes may have you scratching your head, it's best that you leave your brain at the door and enjoy it for what it is. Great fun. The home-DVD/video version comes with all three endings. A fourth was filmed but edited out of the final film. Stills from it can be found in a hard to find book " Clue: The Storybook". Now can i interest anybody in fruit or dessert?

I wont go into detail regarding the plot however the film is based on actual events in the early 1960's regarding the illicit affair of war minister Jack Profumo and teenage party-girl Christine Keeler..I watched the film last night on British TV and was fortunate to see the longer 114 minute version..with more substance added to the scenes between Christine and Mandy-Rice Davies and longer speeches from other characters including the police man interrogating Christine...this fleshed out version was much better than the video version i saw years ago..the feel and look of the film is stunning..soundtrack excellent..and the performances very moving and under-rated..it amazes me that Joanne Whalley hasn't done more work since this film..she is wonderfully seductive and naive as Christine,and Bridget Fonda is cunning and striking as Mandy-Rice Davies..and off course John Hurt turns in yet another incredible performance!..One Question...WHY HAS'NT THIS BRILLIANT AND CLASSIC FILM BEEN RELEASED ON DVD IN THE U.K..and yet it has in America!??

When i first saw this film on its initial release i was stunned at its energy and sheer visual accomplishment..now having watched it many many times..i still wish it would slow down at times as the rapid and spasmodic editing gets a little wearing at times..the tango scene..whilst powerful..is so quickly edited that you find it hard to see the dancing..and to feel the acting from both nicole and ewan..but only a few minor moans against an otherwise beautiful and unique film.Whilst Chicago has its merits by being rather "old school" musical in its presentation..Moulin Rouge is a musical on absinthe!..Fabulous performances all round..particularly Nicole Kidman..and Jim Broadbent.. it maybe an acquired taste as a film..but like absinthe..once tried never forgotten..one minor extra quip..note to baz luhrmann..as satine's signature song in the film is "one day i'll fly away"..why at the end of the film,didnt christian release satine's bird from its cage hanging outside his blacony!?..maybe im too soft..but the sight of that little bird..with nicoles's song gently playing beneath being released into the paris skyline at sunset would have made this already romantic old heart bawl my eyes!..just an idea..other than that..fab film!

This film was made,primarily,to introduce He-Man's twin sister She-Ra,who,in the 80's,ruled not only every toy department in the world,but were also the main characters in quite possibly one of the most successful cartoons ever made! It is a dark and stormy night on the planet Eternia,and Prince Adam is summoned to Castle Greyskull,by its guardian,the Sorceress,who dispatches him on a heroic journey to find the meaning of a mystical sword! On the planet Etheria,our hero is teamed up with a rebel band of warriors who have pledged to over-throw the evil Horde,led by Hordak and his dastardly bunch of villains! It all turns pear-shaped however when our intrepid hero meets his match in the form of Adora,the blonde,rather attractive ( compared to the other motley crew Hordak surrounds himself with) captain of the Horde Army,who,oblivious to the Horde's evil-ways,imprisons our hero on Beast Island! Will Adora learn of the Horde's evil ways,and see the light!? And will Prince Adam learn the Secret of the Sword!? Well,watch it and find out,as this is a fantastic kids..and big kids..movie..made back in the days when pace,story-telling,and interesting characters,was everything! It can be said,having watched some of the "childrens" films of the last few years,that they really dont make films like this anymore! It could all so easily slip into unbearable cuteness at certain stages,but the wit and pace of the film,never drags it down! A superb family film..only after watching it again,i do wish i were a 10 year old boy again,running around with a plastic sword shouting "I HAVE THE POWER!"

Words cannot describe how bad this film is...but to spare you all from watching this goddawful film i will do my best to summarise what i have just seen! That naughty shark ruins everyones christmas by chewing up the younger of the Brody boys leaving his angst ridden mother to jet off to the bahamas to get over the shock..her eldest son Michael..is a marine biologist..an unlikely occupation from a man whose had a less than friendly childhood with the sea...however it all turns pear shaped when the shark turns up in the bahamas hell bent..we are meant to believe(!?) on revenge on its predecessors untimely deaths at the hands of Chief Martin Brody..the aforementioned husband and father of said characters! The effects for this movie are truly dreadful..the shark has never looked so utterly fake and..it roars!!???...the acting is also below average..with Lorraine Gary reprising her role from the original two movies and she virtually carries the film on her own..well padded shoulders..as those around her flounder helplessly..Michael Caine apparently did this film just for the money and in order to build a nice house..in one sequence he manages to escape from a sinking plane..swim to a boat..climb aboard..all without getting his shirt wet..AMAZING and possibly the best special effect on show...other supporting cast members arent really worth mentioning..and i will spare the little girl who played Thea the child actress Judith Barsi..who tragically died shortly after filming was completed! As far as this film goes..i implore you to watch the first two movies..skip the 3rd..and to AVOID THIS ONE AT ALL COSTS!!

Ridley Scott's seriously under-rated fantasy masterpiece finally gets the recognition it deserves now that his Director's cut is released onto dvd!..Have been a fan of the film for some years anyway..but have found an all round more appreciation now that i have seen it as..it was intended..before studio systems cut the film to a mostly incoherent mess! The plot is relatively simple,The Lord of Darkness banished to his underworld hatches a plan to bring everlasting night to the world on the condition that the life giving energy harboured in the souls of unicorns is destroyed..using "innocence" as bait in the form of Princess Lily part of his plan is ful-filled and it is up the forest dwelling folk to thwart his plan,led by Jack o'Green and various elves,sprites,fairies and dwarves! Ridley Scotts imagination for visual presentation is in itself the stuff of Legends..previous film Blade Runner displays this..but here he really lets his creative juices flow..and whilst the film does lack in its narrative it is more than compensated with its beautiful score and cinematography...for a film made 17 years ago it has aged incredibly well...and compared to recent fantasy flicks like the abysmal Dungeons and Dragons...the effects...with not a hint of c.g.i..are far superior!! Performances are a mixed bunch..Tim Curry as Darkness walks away with acting honours...Mia Sara is also rather good in this her apparently debut role..Tom Cruise however looks rather embarrassed and his reluctance to participate in the feature documentary to accompany the dvd release more than confirms this theory! Criminally underated in its initial release..with the emphasis put on the rather drab script..however in its full and extended version..it still may not be in line for any screenwriting awards but it certainly does make more sense! Highly recommended to fantasy fans!!!